2018 Spring Training Thread

[Green Demon]

Kipnis with another HR today, hopefully he can translate some of this spring to the regular season.

 

[Real Deal]

Really hope one of Kipnis/Brantley performs like how we know they can. If they both perform, then we're winning the whole fuckin thing.

 

[Ruken]

I’m worried we are relying so heavily on Kip and Brantley bouncing back.


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[Urban]

I dunno about that, the team won 102 games last year despite Kipnis having the worst season of his career and Brantley missing half of the season.

I can see why people would be skeptical of Brantley considering his health the past 2 seasons, but as long as Kipnis can stay healthy I see no reason why he doesn't have a bounce back season.

 

[Stark]

I've been watching Kipnis heavily. That stupid ass hitch in his swing is gone and he's performing like the all-star he's capable of being.

If we have three all star infielders (Jose, Lindor, Kipnis) along with solid production from Alonso, Encarnacion, and Gomes, our offence will be JUST FINE as long the outfield of Brant, Zimmer, Chiz, and whoever else doesn't murder us.

 

[Derek]

With the juiced baseballs, Kipnis could be a 30+ HR guy if healthy

 

[Steve_424]

Rajai Davis and Melvin Upton have both been pretty mediocre early on, while Greg Allen has played really well. I still expect one of the vets to make it, but it's something to watch.

On the pitching side, Dan Otero and Nick Goody have struggled a bit, while Matt Belisle and Alexi Ogando have looked pretty good early on.

 

[Real Deal]

Kipnis is having his own personal HR derby so far.

Add on a 2 run shot

 

[Kevalier]

Clevinger is now a lock to be in the rotation to start the season, as Tito confirmed such today after another fantastic outing from Clev. With Salazar almost certainly to begin the season on the DL, the final spot will probably go to Tomlin which will lead to the release of 2016 hero, Ryan Merritt, since he's out of options. Don't be surprised if Shane Bieber, he of the jaw dropping K/BB ratio, gets a call up at some point to start a game for the Tribe if a couple of our starters get banged up.

 

[sportscoach]

Clevinger is now a lock to be in the rotation to start the season, as Tito confirmed such today after another fantastic outing from Clev. With Salazar almost certainly to begin the season on the DL, the final spot will probably go to Tomlin which will lead to the release of 2016 hero, Ryan Merritt, since he's out of options. Don't be surprised if Shane Bieber, he of the jaw dropping K/BB ratio, gets a call up at some point to start a game for the Tribe if a couple of our starters get banged up.

Now that being said Merritt still could be kept in the bullpen. Don’t 100% rule him out of the last bullpen spot.

 

[Kevalier]

Now that being said Merritt still could be kept in the bullpen. Don’t 100% rule him out of the last bullpen spot.

Whose spot would he take? Assuming they go with a seven man pen, you have Allen, Miller, Olson Otero, Goody, McAllister and one last spot which will probably go to Belisle if he is healthy and has a decent camp. The guy was outsanding in the second half and was an effective closer for the Twins after they dealt Kintzler.

 

[sportscoach]

Whose spot would he take? Assuming they go with a seven man pen, you have Allen, Miller, Olson Otero, Goody, McAllister and one last spot which will probably go to Belisle if he is healthy and has a decent camp. The guy was outsanding in the second half and was an effective closer for the Twins after they dealt Kintzler.

He would have to beat out a lot of veterans to take the last bullpen spot, but at the same time, it’s going to be hard to cut a guy who likely will be needed after this season. My guess is we also may start out with 13 in the pen if the OFs struggle and guys like Brantley and Guyer cannot play. We may keep 4 OFs at first.

 

[Real Deal]

Red hot Kipnis reporting for duty, #6th

 

[FrontPageNews]

So when does Kipnis get told to pee in a cup?

 

[sportscoach]

Clevinger was named to the rotation, so that means Salazar is DL or the minors to start the season. I think he has an option left if worse comes to worse.